Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
461. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of school projects at primary and second level that has been devolved to the school authorities in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and prior to that, that have not yet commenced construction on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45355/26]
View answerMy department has a strong track record of delivery with over 1,400 completed school building projects, including large-scale projects, additional accommodation, and modular buildings delivered since 2020. The department also completed more than 4,000 smaller-scale school building improvements through emergency works and summer works schemes during this timeframe. My department continues to build on the progress made over recent years with the rollout of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities.
The department must ensure all projects are rolled out in compliance with the Capital Works Management Framework and Infrastructure Guidelines. The timing of a pipeline project moving from one stage to the next requires careful planning and is determined by a number of factors:
- Confirmation that any existing or emerging school capacity in the area is being, or will be, optimised
- Confirmation of compliance with all technical and cost requirements relevant to that project stage
- Outcome of prioritisation assessment
- Timing of affordability within annual NDP funding parameters, taking account of overall programme requirements
Factors beyond the department’s or a school’s control can also impact on project timelines, for example identifying and acquiring a site, planning permission issues and procurement challenges.
The Department recognises the significant workload associated with managing school capital projects and has in place a comprehensive suite of supports to assist schools in the delivery of devolved projects. These supports, which are targeted based on size and complexity of the projects, include:
- Professional consultants on all projects to guide and advise schools
- Implementation of the modular programme using external professional Project Management (PM) support – the PM companies interface with the schools and report back to the Department
- Extensive suite of School Design Guidance and Design Team Procedures so that there is fully clarity for consultants/design teams on standards to be achieved
- Funding of Buildings Officers and PM supports in partner organisations (e.g. ETBs) to further support schools
- Increased use of programmatic approach for larger, complex projects – e.g. Department and NDFA D&B programmes, ADAPT programme (these programmes involve external PM support to help drive Design Teams and monitor progress across the programme)
- Professional oversight and support from the Department’s Professional & Technical team
- Nominated point of contact within the Planning and Building Unit for the planning and delivery stage of each project
At present, there are five stages of architectural planning involved in the delivery of major school projects. The stages reflect the Capital Works Management Framework developed by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform.
Capital programmes operate on a multi-annual basis and typically involve a lead-in period as projects progress from initial brief through the various design stages. The Department’s Planning & Building Unit employ a rigorous and structured approach to permitting a project to move from one stage to the next. This includes robust interrogation of project scope, design and cost by Department delivery teams at each stage. Additionally, individual projects must be managed within the context of our overall programme pipeline and budgetary parameters.
The stages are as follows:
|
Stage |
Stages of delivering a large-scale school building project |
|
1 |
Review project brief information, assess site factors and constraints affecting project viability |
|
2a |
Develop design, prepare accurate cost plan for the agreed option, progressing to statutory approval submission |
|
2b |
Obtain statutory approvals, prepare detailed tender documents and pre-tender cost plan, noting potential delays e.g. appeals to An Bord Pleanála. |
|
3 |
Post-tender review, secure Dept. approval before issuing intent; then issue acceptance to form and start the contract. |
|
4 |
Design Team collectively responsible for managing the project to achieve timely completion within budget. |
|
5 |
Design Team must manage the project and, with the Contractor, deliver required construction standards and achieve phased and overall completion dates. |
The table below provides an overview of approved projects devolved to schools and which are at various stages of design and pre-construction. The majority of projects relate to additional accommodation and small-scale works, and a significant number of projects are with schools to progress. In many cases, projects devolved to school authorities which have not yet commenced construction have been subject to further engagement between the Department and the school. This can include clarification or refinement of project requirements, scope adjustments, or alignment with evolving accommodation needs.
Also included are 19 projects which were listed as part of my department’s NDP Implement Plan first tranche of projects prioritised to proceed to tender and/or construction across 2026 and 2027. Some additional priority modular projects have been added to the list for delivery in 2026 and 2027 and further projects may be added having regard to urgency of need and affordability within annual funding parameters.
|
Projects devolved to schools - currently pre stage 4 (In Construction) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Approved |
pre-2019 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Total |
60 |
43 |
82 |
88 |
155 |
32 |
As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, a department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027. This includes engagement with key stakeholders, including meetings with patrons this month. The department-led Energy and Condition Survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities. A next tranche of projects to proceed to tender is expected to be announced in 2027.
Engagement with individual schools will also continue and will include consideration of issues such as any interim accommodation requirements and, in some cases, advancing enabling works to facilitate smooth progress to construction at a later stage.
